Personal and Professional Development

haven.ca
The Haven is a not-for-profit charitable organization located on beautiful Gabriola Island, BC, Canada. For 30 years The Haven has offered programs for personal and professional development and growth. People leave The Haven with skills to be fully alive, have healthy relationships and communicate effectively.

Reconnecting with Our Lives – Healing from Dissociation
Dissociation is the universal mechanism for pulling away from the pain of “too much.” While it’s necessary and natural for enduring certain situations, the ongoing habit of dissociation cuts us off from our full aliveness, creativity, and capacity for love. This talk by Tara Brach explores the process by which we disconnect from our bodies and feelings – individually and collectively – and the practices that directly enable us to include the “unlived life” – the fear and shame, passion and loneliness – that we’ve pushed away. By including the raw energies we’ve been avoiding, we come home to a fullness that can embrace others and the whole of life.

edX.org
The Science of Happiness is a free, anytime, self paced interactive online class exploring our most current scientific findings about positive psychology and living a satisfying life. edX offers a range of on line courses and MOOCs from the world’s best universities, colleges and organizations including MITX, HarvardX, BerkeleyX, UTX

Brené Brown, The Power of Vulnerability, TED Talk.Brene Brown speaks to the power of vulnerability, courage, authenticity and shame. Her newer works pose the questions: How do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to recognize that we are enough – that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?

thebookoflife.orgThe Book of Life is an ever- evolving electronic book about the most substantial things in your life: your relationships, your income, your career, your anxieties.

emotionalcompetency.comThis site explores in depth howto develop the essential social skills to recognize, interpret, and respond constructively to emotions in yourself and others. Comes with a Study Guide.

The Stanton Peele Addiction Website
Stanton Peele is a psychologist who has changed the addiction field. He has pioneered, among other things, the idea that addiction occurs with a range of experiences, recognition of natural recovery from addiction, and the harm reduction approach to addiction. This site includes many of his widely-read writings (see, for example, Why Addiction Isn’t a Disease and Love and Addiction.)

Introduction to Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Therapy
One example of a recent discovery with major implications is our further understanding of neuroplasticity. Simply put, we used to think our brain was what it was — unchangeable, unalterable. We were stuck with what nature gave us. In actuality our brains are like plastic. We can alter neurochemistry to change beliefs, thought processes, emotions, etc. You are the architect of your brain. You also have the power to act against dangerous impulses such as addiction. The therapeutic possibilities here are endless.

The Self Authoring Suite
Developed by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, the online self-help program, the Self Authoring Suite, has helped over 150,000 people resolve the problems of their past and radically improve their future.

The Past Authoring Program helps you remember, articulate and analyze key positive and negative life experiences.

The Present Authoring Program has two modules. The first helps you understand and rectify your personality faults. The second helps you understand and develop your personality virtues.

The Future Authoring Program helps you envision a meaningful, healthy and productive future, three to five years down the road, and to develop a detailed, implementable plan to make that future a reality.

People who spend time writing carefully about themselves become happier, less anxious and depressed and physically healthier. They become more productive, persistent and engaged in life. This is because thinking about where you came from, who you are and where you are going helps you chart a simpler and more rewarding path through life.

Communication and Assertiveness: Master Communication and Assertiveness Skills Training
This communication and assertiveness video can teach you the skills that are essential to develop and keep close and intimate relationships, and your business relationships as well, by teaching the elements of effective conflict resolution. Anyone can learn to communicate better. With practice, you can choose the right words for every situation.